KENTUCKY HEALTH COOPERATIVE MEMBER

UPDATEAN INFORMATION SERVICE OF KENTUCKY HEALTH COOPERATIVE, INC.

Kentucky’s Only Nonprofit Consumer Oriented and Operated Health Plan AUG U S T 2015

You may have gotten used to seeing us around. We have visited every county at least once, and we’ve been to most counties more times than we can count. We plan to keep this up and will probably return to your area soon. Road warriors Carolyn Franklin and Nestor Ohin (aka our community relations representatives) are among employees who are keeping the road hot.

Carolyn and Nestor are asking whether you like us. And doubt it not. Folks are speaking their minds. When you get this chance, I want you to do the same. Say what you really think – it won’t hurt our feelings.

We’re braced for mixed reviews. Now in our second year of business, we’ve been hard at it, but we haven’t been perfect. Our nonprofi t organization has brought health plan coverage to over 55,000 Kentuckians, which is fantastic. Thing is, we’d planned for half that number, and we’ve been playing catch-up to deliver consistent and excellent service to our members, providers and agents.

Progress has been made by bringing on more employees to help

us, and another vendor-partner to tackle billing issues, claims administration, and other member services. We are working quickly to make meaningful, immediate progress that will allow us to serve you in the way

Greetings from Glennthat you have deserved all along.

So, when you see Nestor and Carolyn and the rest of us, say your peace. And, if you will be at the Kentucky State Fair August 20-

30, stop by the South Wing and say hi. Grab a little freebie item while you’re at it. We’d love to meet you in person and get your thoughts on how we can improve.

If we miss you at the fair, check us out in Bardstown, Georgetown, London, Lexington, Winchester, Hopkinsville and Lebanon late this summer/early fall – and who knows where else we’ll wind up. No telling.

Above all, thank you for your membership. It is genuinely appreciated.

Glenn Jennings, Interim CEO Kentucky Health Cooperative, Inc.Carolyn Franklin Nestor Ohin

KENTUCKY HEALTH COOPERATIVE, 9700 ORMSBY STATION RD., SUITE 100, LOUISVILLE, KY 40223. PHONE: 1-877-334-1726

KENTUCKY HEALTH COOPERATIVE, 9700 ORMSBY STATION RD., SUITE 100, LOUISVILLE, KY 40223. PHONE: 1-877-334-1726

One person really can make a difference – that’s what we, at Kentucky Health Cooperative, believe. Our Board of Directors is key to shaping the organization. A Board member’s voice ensures that we offer responsive services, look at healthcare in new ways, and work toward improving the overall health of our members. As a Board member, you’ll have the opportunity to help lead an organization that is playing a part in revolutionizing the healthcare industry. You will have a hand in involving our members in their healthcare choices and in helping identify new ways to save money.

Whether you live in eastern Kentucky, in the heart of the Bluegrass, on the western side of our Commonwealth or on the riverfront in northern Kentucky, as long as you are one of our members and you’re

This is Your CO-OP! (Want To Serve On Our Board Of Directors?)

willing to be a face and voice of this CO-OP, you meet the most basic requirements for serving. In other words, you’re off and running.

The election for Board of Director

Childhood and adolescence is a time of rapid growth and change, and regular wellness exams allow you to focus on your child’s development and overall health. Since annual wellness exams are covered at 100% from ages 4-17, there’s no reason not to visit your child’s healthcare provider.

Each wellness visit should include a complete physical examination. Your provider will check your child’s growth and development to

Well Child & Adolescent Exams Covered at 100% — No Cost to You!

detect or prevent health problems.Your provider will record your

child’s height, weight, body mass index (BMI), vital signs and, at ages 4-5, your child’s vision. He or she should perform other screening tests and give age-appropriate immunizations during the wellness exam.

Physical, mental/behavioral health development, nutrition, sleep, safety and social or school performance (if applicable) are

other topics you should discuss with your child’s provider during the wellness exam.

These visits are key times to talk about what is normal at each age and stage, and to find ways to address any issues with the help of your child’s healthcare provider.

positions will take place later this year. For more information about the nomination and election process, visit our website: www.mykyhc.org.

KENTUCKY HEALTH COOPERATIVE, 9700 ORMSBY STATION RD., SUITE 100, LOUISVILLE, KY 40223. PHONE: 1-877-334-1726

Calling All Photographers!

We are adding photos of Kentucky and Kentuckians to our website and social media, snapped by our members (selfi e stick assistance optional!). Submit yours today and be entered to win an Amazon.com gift card. Visit www.mykyhc.org for more information.

Everyone who receives a tax credit to help pay for their health insurance premiums also gets the benefi t of a 90-day grace period. If you fall behind on paying premiums, a grace period lets you catch up on payments before coverage is cancelled.

Here’s how that 90-day grace period works:

Every month, your premium is due on the 1st day of that month. So, for September, your premium is due August 30, (allowing for time to receive and post it).

If not paid by the due date, your policy will be considered delinquent. If we have not received payment by around September 10, you will start hearing from us. (You know, a friendly reminder). If paid by the end of the coverage month, your policy will be restored to its full effective status.

If you miss paying your premium for a particular month (in this case, September), the next month (October) becomes the second month of your maximum 90-day grace period.

Now, the good news is that you will still have a policy. The not-so-good news is that we will not be paying for your prescription drugs or any other claims. The claims will be placed in an insurance purgatory until your premium is paid in full. (At this point, two months of premium will be owed). You will have an effective policy, but you won’t be able to use your benefi ts.

Receiving A Tax Credit? How the 90-Day Premium Payment Grace Period Works

outlay, especially around the holidays?

Slip on ice and whack out your back. A trip to an urgent care center, and maybe radiology, might be in your future. Whip out your calculator. You’re probably not going to like what you see…

Have what we will kindly call a cardiac event. If you’re planning to watch the Kentucky Wildcats-Louisville Cardinals on December 26, that is. Excitement gets to some of us. (You don’t want to know how much it costs to treat a heart attack).

A surefi re way to avoid losing coverage and avoid fooling with understanding grace periods is to pay your premiums on time. Kentucky Health Cooperative makes it easy. Sign up for your bank’s Online Bill Pay, or pay via Bank Draft. For more information, visit your online Member Portal (https://portal.mykyhc.org).

If your premiums are not paid by the last day of the third month – by now, we’re talking November – your coverage will be cancelled. Following cancellation, you will not be eligible to receive benefi ts again until January 1, 2016, following enrollment during the next sign-up period.

Who wants to risk walking around for even one month without health insurance?

“I’ll take my chances,” you might say, but consider the risks.

December is a risky time to be without health insurance coverage. You might:

Catch the fl u. Buster or Missy – whomever you are – if you contract the fl u and you don’t have health coverage, you’ll be digging into your pocket to pay the full cost of diagnosis, which probably will be followed with advice to fi ll a prescription that costs a couple hundred dollars. Who needs that kind of cash

KENTUCKY HEALTH COOPERATIVE, 9700 ORMSBY STATION RD., SUITE 100, LOUISVILLE, KY 40223. PHONE: 1-877-334-1726

According to the American Council on Exercise, walking is an excellent place to begin – or keep up – your healthy and active journey. Summertime and early fall are ideal for getting outside and taking a walk. There are many advantages to walking as a form of exercise. It’s free, easy, relaxes the mind, and can help promote weight loss.

The American Diabetes Association recommends a goal of 30 minutes of brisk walking, taken at least five days a week.

If this is your first step to increasing your physical activity, start slowly. Try 10 minutes a day and increase by 5 minutes for each walk during the following week. Rinse and repeat (increasing by 5 minutes with each new week), until you reach your goal.

The Kentucky Health Cooperative Member Update is a publication for members of Kentucky Health Cooperative, Inc. The information contained in this newsletter should not be considered specific medical advice, as each individual situation is different. For medical advice, consult with your Practitioner or call the 24-Hour Kentucky Health Cooperative Nurse Advice Line at 1-855-348-9113.

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WALK TO GET FIT

No Better Time Than Now To Manage Your Diabetes

Kentucky Health Cooperative is pleased to offer a Diabetes Management Program. The program is staffed by nurses with specialized knowledge of diabetes. They provide education and support by phone, mail and email, and they help you meet your health goals. The program is free and a part of your health plan coverage.

Give us a jingle, toll-free, at 1-855-635-5580 (option 2) to talk with a Diabetes Management Program nurse. Then, stand by for free materials and other resources. They will be coming your way real soon.

Clinical Care Integration Vice President David Wheeler works out with a walk.

Amanda Cagle, R.N., a member of our Disease Management staff.